Brumbies' Peni banned for five Super weeks

Brumbies winger Chance Peni has been banned for five Super Rugby weeks by SANZAAR after pleading guilty to a dangerous tackle that wrecked Crusaders veteran Israel Dagg's hopes of an All Blacks recall.

Peni was cited after the Brumbies' Super Rugby loss to the Crusaders on Saturday, in which he was given a yellow card during the first half for his clumsy hit on Dagg.

Dagg failed a concussion assessment and he injured a knee when he fell akwardley after the hit by Peni, with the injury expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks.

His coach Scott Robertson says the veteran All Black is unlikely to play before the New Zealand Test squad is named on May 20 for three home Tests against France in June.

Peni only finished serving a four-game suspension for a dangerous tackle at the start of the year.

In his finding, SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC said that Peni's previous record counted against him, although took into account his remorse and guilty plea.

"The Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid range entry point of five weeks," Hampton said in a statement.

"The player has received two previous periods of suspension for similar incidents in the preceding 12 months, and the Foul Play Review Committee added a further week to the sanction for that aggravating factor.

"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's remorse shown on field and his pleading guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to five weeks."

Peni, who joined the Brumbies this season from the Western Force, had been pushing for Test selection for the Wallabies' series against Ireland.